Thespians from throughout Oregon will gather at three Regional events this Saturday to celebrate the tremendous work being done by High School theatre artists across the state … and to answer the age-old question: If a Thespian comes out on stage and sees his shadow, how many more weeks will we have to endure this winter weather?

Everyone will be hearing from their Tournament Coordinator this week with numbers to assign their entries. Remember to hand in a list of the NAMES that go with each number when you check in on Saturday (please double check accuracy, spelling, and legibility).

Please review THESE IMPORTANT CHANGES one more time, including the new furniture allotment. The only events that will have access to a table are GROUP events and PANTOMIME (we haven’t changed anything there).

And don’t forget to wear your PROFESSIONAL BLACKS. We’re giving a trial run to the new NIES rule that all entrants must be dressed in black. It’s not required in Oregon … we just want to see what all the fuss is about. So, if possible, get your black on so we can make an educated decision about whether or not to adopt this new National rule here (protesting by wearing all pink, though funny, would be counter-productive … and considered a costume). You can, of course, simply dress according to the previous guidelines.

Come on Saturday with a true Thespian spirit of — as our student leaders defined in their goals for this year — “Unity Over Competition.” Let’s celebrate each other and have a terrific event!

Prep your Regionals Registration! The online registration site will be live at the first of the year, and the deadline is January 17. You will need to list your Thespian Members who are eligible for the reduced rate, so make sure your inductions are up-to-date and you have access to your Troupe’s list (to see Membership Numbers).

Recruit Judges for Training! Send qualified judges to this website to register for a Judge Training Day, either January 19 at Jesuit HS in Portland or January 26 at A3 in Springfield. Register by January 17.

Encourage your student playwrights to submit a finished script to the Playwriting Competition. The application form and submission information will be updated by the first of the year. The submission deadline is January 17.

Encourage your tech students to have their tech entries reviewed at the Early Entry Tech Feedback at Regionals this year. They’ll need to arrange to have their materials sent (and returned from) the Northeast Regional, but may be able to benefit from this entirely optional pilot program this year. Registration for Early Feedback happens with your Troupe’s Regionals Registration.

Enjoy the Holidays! Spend time with friends and family and see some great theatre, if possible. The Merriest and Happiest to you!

Recruiting qualified judges to provide helpful feedback to our students at Regionals and State is a very important Troupe Director responsibility. There are two ways for you to do this, and NOW IS THE TIME.

1) You can direct your potential judges to this site to register for one of the two Judge Training Days (January 19 at JHS in Portland, January 26 at A3 in Springfield). Judges who attend this training are given priority when scheduling the judges for Regionals. Those who are already State Qualified are encouraged to attend the training as well. Currently Qualified judges can secure their spot at Regionals by attending just the afternoon practice session at each Training Day.

2) You can go to this site yourself, and submit the name (or names) of potential judges. Our Statewide Judge Coordinator (Kelley Marchant) will then reach out to them regarding training and scheduling. You can also recommend contacts you have at college programs, who might be a source for qualified judges and/or workshop leaders.

Remember that judges must be 21 years old, at least four years out of high school, and have the education and experience in theatre that gives them a command of the theatrical principles and skills they will be evaluating.

We will use essentially the same ballots that we have been, with some minor changes to vocabulary, most notably the column headings over the descriptors. We are replacing the word “poor” with “unprepared” and shifting the adjectives to allow for the inclusion of “Superior” as our top rating. This means that students will now qualify for NIES by receiving one Superior rating at Regionals or State.

We are adopting the NIES rules for events, including furniture allotment and allowed sources. Review the new guidelines here. Note that all source material must be from published scripts written for the stage. Also, only group events are permitted the use of a table. Solo events get one chair. Duo events get two chairs.

We are not requiring students to adhere to the “professional black” dress code that is new at NIES this year, but we are encouraging Troupes to try it out so we can form an opinion based on the experience.

This year’s State Festival will feature an expanded list of TECH EVENTS for students to enter. Cost to enter is $10 per entry for Thespian Members and $12 per entry for non-Thespian Students.

A complete list of TECH EVENTS can be found here, along with the current DRAFT of each Tech Ballot, complete with entry requirements and guidelines. We are working to align our entry requirements with the National guidelines. Students interested in entering a Tech Event at the National level should explore the National Guidelines in advance.

The committee on Main Stage Productions at State (previously called Main Stage Showcase) has been hard at work with clarifying and improving the process of responding to and selecting high-quality theatre for presentation at our annual Festival.

Click here to review the updated information, including new deadlines, important requirements, and the option for live response for your cast and crew following a performance!

Remember that submitting a show for consideration as a Main Stage Production at State is a process that is best begun well in advance of your actual production. Explore this information first!

After an inspiring day at The Oregon Arts Commission’s OREGON ARTS SUMMIT 2012, OTEA Members gather at 5pm on Friday, September 12, in the upstairs rehearsal room of Portland Center Stage at The Armory.

We’ll meet, enjoy a reception of great conversation, and enjoy a performance of PCS’s SWEENEY TODD. Go to the OTEA Conference page for more information.

Hundreds of Thespians will be gathering in Grants Pass on Saturday, October 6, for the annual Improv Festival. The day begins with registration at 8:30 am and will conclude with awards by 4 pm. When you arrive, your group will be divided among several teams (no two students from the same school are on the same team) and you’ll be given some instruction and time to prepare before showing your stuff!

Note that food will not be available for purchase on campus, so you’ll either need to plan for the trek off-campus (15+ minutes, walking) or bring a lunch. Talk with your Troupe Director regarding lunch plans.